We would love to have you join us at any of our worship services. The New Church teaches that the most important way people worship the Lord is by living according to His commandments in their daily lives. The goal of New Church worship services is to provide time for people to humble themselves before the Lord, raise their minds above daily tasks, learn from the Word, and pray and sing with other people.

Each Sunday we offer a number of worship services in several different formats. Here are some brief descriptions of the different services so that you can figure out which service you would like to come to and so that you can know what to expect if you have never come before. If you have any other questions, please call 215-947-0266.

Young Children's Service

9:30am | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Council Chamber (directions)

The young children's service is aimed at children 5 years and younger. The service consists of singing a number of children's worship songs, saying the Lord's prayer, and a short explanation of a story from the Bible by a minister. The minister will often use props (e.g. a sheepskin, a staff, wheat) to help the children understand the story. After the worship service there is a project for the children to work on if they wish.

If you have never come to the young children's service before, come to the main entrance of the cathedral and a staff member will show you where to go.

Contemporary Family Service

9:30am | Bryn Athyn Church Society Building (directions)

The contemporary family worship service is held in the Bryn Athyn Church School gym. Every week the service involves singing contemporary worship songs led by guitar and other instruments, saying the Lord's prayer, readings from the Bible and the Writings for the New Church and a talk by a minister. The service often involves people in costumes acting out certain parts of the day's story, personal testimonials from the congregation, and an optional activity (e.g. coming forward to receive a stone to remember the power of the Lord's teachings over false ideas, as shown in the story of David and Goliath). The minister's talk is informal and is focussed on helping people apply teachings from the Lord in their daily lives.

Starting at 9:20am the music leaders will be singing songs from the music books on the seats. Some people sing along and others just listen. At 9:30am the minister will make a few announcements and then begin the service with a prayer. After the first song is over the minister will open the Word on the chancel as a sign of turning to the Lord for His teaching. The service ends with the minister closing the Word and everyone singing a few final songs. After the service there is time for refreshments and fellowship.

Listen to past contemporary family services

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Traditional Family Service

9:30am | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Sanctuary (directions)

The traditional family worship service involves singing traditional hymns accompanied by organ, saying the Lord's prayer, a short recitation from the Bible by the congregation, readings from the Bible and the Writings for the New Church and a talk by a minister. The talk is aimed primarily at school age children and their parents and usually centers around an explanation of a story from the Bible based on teachings from the Writings for the New Church.

Before the service there is time for quiet reflection as music is played on the organ. The service begins with everyone standing up to sing the first hymn. After the first song is over the minister will open the Word on the chancel as a sign of turning to the Lord for His teaching. The service ends with the minister closing the Word and everyone singing a final hymn. After the service there is time for refreshments and fellowship.

Listen to past traditional family services

Traditional Adult Service

11:00am | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Sanctuary (directions)

The traditional adult service involves singing traditional hymns accompanied by organ, saying the Lord's prayer, a short recitation from the Bible by the congregation, readings from the Bible and the Writings for the New Church, and a sermon by a minister. Once a month the Cathedral choir provides additional music. The sermon by the minister is aimed at adults and really exploring religion at a deep level based on teachings from the Writings for the New Church.

Before the service there is time for quiet reflection as music is played on the organ. The service begins with everyone standing up to sing the first hymn from the blue song books in the pews. After the first song is over the minister will open the Word on the chancel as a sign of turning to the Lord for His teaching. The service ends with the minister closing the Word and everyone singing a final hymn. After the service there is time for refreshments and fellowship.

Listen to past traditional adult services

Young Adult Vespers Service

7:00pm | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir Hall (directions)

The Young Adult Vespers service (known as “The Sunday Night Thing”) is an informal worship program for young adults (high school age and up). It starts at 7:00pm with small group meetings and then a vespers service at 8:15pm. The vespers service involves singing contemporary worship songs led by guitar, readings from the Bible and the Writings for the New Church, a short informal talk by a minister, and a time for silent and spoken prayer. Feel free to come at 7pm for groups or at 8:15pm for just vespers.

The Sunday Night Thing doesn't take place during the summer. It will start up again at the end of August.

The Sunday Night Thing has been around for about 5 years. Its goal is to help people connect with the Lord and each other.